Ruler: Stay out of Johor’s affairs
Certain outsider politician gets ticking off
MUAR: Politicians from outside the state should not meddle in its affairs, especially in development matters, says Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
He said the rakyat of Johor are living in peace and harmony and they don’t need outsiders teaching them how things should be done in the state.
During a speech at the official opening of Galeri Darurat Bukit Kepong (Bukit Kepong Gallery of the Emergency Period) here, Sultan Ibrahim said that his subjects would not be easily influenced by a certain outsider trying to scare them by creating “fairytale” stories about the state.
While he did not refer to the person by name, it was clear that the “certain outsider” was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Sultan Ibrahim said he had noticed that several politicians had lately been playing up certain issues about Johor in a bid to get public support.
“Maybe this outsider has forgotten that his time is long gone, where he used to claim the Malays are easily forgetful. But now it seems he has shown that he is also forgetful.
“He used to say that the Opposition is the enemy. But now he is able to sit on the same table with them and become good friends. He also once said that the Western media liked to create stories, but now he says such stories are facts,” he added.
Sultan Ibrahim pointed out that if this outsider politician was not forgetful, then he might be a bit senile due to his age.
“My advice to him is, enough is enough or just like the saying goes, the best business you can have today is mind your own business,” he added.
Sultan Ibrahim said that as long as he ruled Johor, he would continue to defend the state and hoped the rakyat would support him.
He said since he was young, he was taught to take care of Johor and that he should not let his own rakyat suffer.
He said critics of Johor should just look at the development and progress made in the state compared to what was seen 10 or 20 years ago.
“There was a time when the state government did not even have enough money to pay the salaries of civil servants.
“But now, the state government has billions of ringgit in revenue.
“This success is due to the good relationship that I have with the current Mentri Besar,” he said.
He also revealed that he would not interfere with the administration of the Tunku Mahkota Johor when he hands over the throne to his son.
The Ruler said the people and himself, must realise that they were getting older and their health will be affected as well.
“I will not interfere or criticise the new Ruler and all of you should accept his decrees,” he said.
In jest, Sultan Ibrahim said: “Hopefully, I will not be sent to an old folks home.”